Machine for cleaning bricks



Patented Aug. 23, I898. I. HOWARD.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING BRICKS.

(Application filed Apr. 11, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Inventor.

W'ilnesses.

Attorneys No. 609,547. Patented Aug. 23, I898.

S. I. HOWARD.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING BRICKS.

(Applicafiimi filed Apr. 11, 1898.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Inventor.

6. EX. ZPGMWW Attorneys.

Witnesses.

THE NORRIS PETERS co. wumoumou WASHINGTON, 9,1:

llNrn STATES PATENT Enron.

SAMUEL I. HOWARD, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING BRICKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 609,547, dated August23, 1898.

Application filed April 11, 1898.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, SAMUEL I. HOWARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Machine for CleaningBricks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is 110 provide a simple, efficient, andinexpensive machine for removing mortar from old bricks;

To this end my invention consists of the parts and combinations of partshereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claimsat the end of this specification.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a side view ofamachine for cleaning old bricks constructed according to my invention.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view; and Figs. l'to6, inclusive, are detail views of the relativelymovable platforms orcleaning-surfaces.

In tearing away or remodeling building constructions the bricks whichhave been once used are left with mortar adhering to their faces, whichmust be removed before the bricks can again be used. The ordinarypractice in cleaning old bricks at the present time is to chip or knockoff the mortar from the faces thereof by hand. This method of cleaningbricks is necessarily slow and expensive, and by careless work inremoving mortar from the faces of the bricks many of the bricks whichwould otherwise be saved are broken, so that their value is destroyed.The greater part of the mortar which adheres to old bricks is ordinarilyfound adhering to the upper and lower faces thereof, the sides and endsof the bricks being comparatively clean, and I have found in practicethat by scouring or rubbing the top and bottom surfaces of old bricksfree from mortar such bricks will be sufliciently clean to permit themto be readily used again; and the especial object of my presentinvention is therefore to providea machine which will scour or clean thetop and bottom surfaces of old bricks and incidentally will knock offthe mortar which adheres tothe sides or ends of the bricks.

A machine for cleaning old bricks con- Serial No. 677,137. (No model) aframework of any ordinary or approved construction, two substantiallyparallel platforms or cleaning-surfaces, and means for producing arelative to-and-fro movement between the platforms.

, The frame of the machine is preferably formed of angle-irons,which arebolted or riveted together, so as to form a light, strong, andinexpensive construction.

The platforms are slightly inclined and are preferably supported so thatthey can'be adjusted to different inclinations to retain the bricksbetween them for longer or shorter periods, as may be necessary, onaccount of the different character of the mortar which is found adheringto the bricks being operated upon.

In the machine which I have illustrated adjustable cross-pieces areemployed for sup- L porting the platforms, so that by changing one orboth of such cross-pieces the platforms may be arranged at the desiredinclination.

y The lower platform is somewhat longer.

than the upper platform, so as to extend from one end of the machine toreceive the bricks which are to be operated upon, and it is preferablyconstructed from wooden planks having angle-irons at its side, whichextend up above the top surface of the planks, so as to retain thebricks thereon while being operated upon.

The upper platform is somewhat wider than the lower platform, so as toform a coverplate therefor, and the sides of the wooden upper platformare also preferably bound with angle-irons, the end of the upper platform being slightly curved upward to allow the ready introduction of thebricks.

To produce a relative to-andfro motion between the platforms as thusconstructed, I preferably employ two upright parallel dou ble bentcrank-shafts,which may be geared to turn togetherby means of a chain ormay be connected by a pitman inany ordinary manner. At its lower end oneof the vertical crank-shafts is provided with a crank-arm, to whichpower can be applied from any convenient source-as, for example, fromthe structed according to myinvention comprises nigger-head of ahoisting-engine, such as is ordinarily used to operate the derricks andhoists employed in constructing buildings.

Referring 'to the drawings and in detail, the framework of the machine,as illustrated, comprises four upright corner-pieces or legs 10 ofangle-iron, having angle-iron side pieces 11 and cross-pieces 18.

Adj ustably secured to the uprights 10 of the framework, as most clearlyshown in Fig. 3, are cross-pieces 13. As shown in the drawings, thecross-pieces 13 are secured in place by bolts which, pass through slotsin the upright 10, so that the cross-pieces 13 can be secured atdifferent elevations as desired.

Supported on the cross-pieces 13 is a lower platform 14. As shown mostclearly in Fig. 5, the platform 14 comprises a wooden plank or bodyportion having angle-irons 15, secured on the edges thereof, so as toproject above the upper surface of the plank to hold the bricks in placewhile being operated upon.

The upper platform 16, which rests substantially on top of the lowerplatform 14, is made wide enough to form a cover for the lower platformand comprises a wooden body portion, having angle-iron reinforcing sidepieces 17, as shown in Fig. 4. At its end the upper platform 16 isslightly bent up, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to allow the bricks to bereadily introduced between said platforms.

To produce a relative to-and-fro motion between the cleaning-platforms,I preferably employ upright parallel double-bent crankshafts 20 and 21,which are journaled in suitable boxes in cross-pieces 18 of the frame.The crank-shafts 20 and 21 are geared to turn together by means ofsprocket-wheels 22 and 23,having a driving-chain 24 running thereon.

Instead of gearing the crank-shafts 20 and 21 together by adriving-chain they may be connected by a pitman-rod or otherwise geared,as may be desired.

The crank-shafts 20 and 21 pass loosely through the platforms 14 and 16,so that as said cranlcshafts are turned they will produce a relativeto-and-fro motion between the platforms 14 and 16.

Springs 26 are coiled on the crank-shafts 20 and 21 to engage the upperplatform 16, and are secured in place by adjustable collars 27, whichmay be fastened by set-screws in different positions in the ordinarymanner to adjust the tension of the springs 26 to produce any desiredpressure between the platforms 14 and 16.

A crank-arm 28 is secured to the lower end of the crank-shaft 21, andpower can be applied to the crank-arm 28 from any desired source tooperate the machine.

In using a machine as thus constructed for cleaning bricks the bricksare deposited upon the extending end of the lower platform 14, and theinclination of the platforms 14 and 16 will cause the bricks to workslowly down between said platforms, so that the mortar adhering to thetop and bottom surfaces of the bricks will be completely scoured orremoved therefrom, and incidentally the greater part of the mortaradhering to the ends and side pieces of the bricks will also be jarredoff.

When the mortar adhering to the bricks is comparatively soft, theplatforms 14 and 16 will be set at a considerable inclination, so thatthe bricks will work their way through the machine more rapidly thanwhen the platforms are set more nearly horizontal.

I am aware that changes may be made in the construction of my machinefor cleaning old bricks by those whoare skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims. Ido not wish, therefore, to be limited to the form which I have shown anddescribed; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. In a machine for cleaning old bricks, the combination of twosubstantially parallel platforms, and means for producing a relativeto-and-fro motion between said platforms, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for cleaning old bricks, the combination of twoinclined, substantially parallel platforms, means for adjusting theinclination of said platforms, and means for producing a relativeto-and-fro motion between said platforms, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for cleaning old bricks, the combination of a frame, twosubstantially parallel platforms, and crank-shafts for producing arelative to-and-fro motion between said platforms, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a machine for cleaning old bricks, the combination of a frame,cross-pieces adjustably secured to the said frame, a platform supportedby said cross-pieces and extending beyond the end of the frame of themachine to receive the bricks to be operated upon, an upper platform,and vertical crank-shafts for producing a relative to-and-fro motionbetween said platforms, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for cleaning bricks, the combination of an angle-ironframe, comprising uprights, and side pieces, cross-pieces adj ustablysecured in said frame, a lower plat- 7 form supported by saidcross-pieces and comadj ustably secured in the frame, a lowerplattension of said springs to produce the desired pressure on thebricks between said platforms, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set I5 my hand in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL I. HOWARD.

Witnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, LOUIS W. SOUTHGATE.

